Fair Trade for Whom?

In Dani Rodrik’s article, Has Globalization Gone too Far?, he details sources of tension around the world regarding domestic trading practices and then the role of national governments dealing with the same issues. In the role of national governments, Rodrik feels that policy makers have to steer a difficult course when trying to confront both concerns about domestic trading and sheltering group from foreign competition. His last point states: do not abuse “fairness” claims in trade. By this he essentially means that fairness is something a home country can decide for their own domestic practices. They can even put regulations on what and from whom they import, negotiating worker standards and the like, but when it comes to foreign domestic policies, it is a hands-off approach. I have some issues with this concept. If a foreign country has standards and practices that differ from America, we have no control over what they do. This makes sense, but what about child labor? What about practices that are so heinous and barbaric we would cringe at the thought? Just not trade with them? Okay, but what about other countries that do? How can we stop this perpetual cycle if we can’t do anything about it as an outsider?